Additional Coverage:
- Jimmy Kimmel hits back at rumors show is canceled and takes aim at FCC and White House (themirror.com)
Jimmy Kimmel made a strong return to his late-night show on Tuesday, addressing swirling rumors about the potential cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Live! amid pressure from the FCC and the White House.
The 58-year-old comedian was greeted with enthusiastic applause as he stepped back into the studio after his summer break. He took a moment to thank celebrity guest hosts like Rosie O’Donnell and Jelly Roll for keeping the show running smoothly during his absence. The episode also marked a significant milestone-Tuesday, September 8, was the 4,000th episode of his ABC talk show.
Kimmel couldn’t resist poking fun at the speculation surrounding his show’s future. “There are a lot of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
shows,” he quipped, “and according to the White House, it’s too many.” He reassured viewers that despite the rumors, *Jimmy Kimmel Live!
- is here to stay.
Taking a pointed jab at President Donald Trump and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, Kimmel said, “There were those who said we wouldn’t last this long. Some even tried to use the FCC to unconstitutionally make sure we didn’t. But we did it the hard way, Brendan, and we’re still here.”
Over the past year, Trump has repeatedly called for ABC to fire Kimmel or cancel the show, particularly after Kimmel made controversial remarks about conservative commentator Charlie Kirk and his alleged assassin, Tyler Robinson, in the wake of Kirk’s assassination in September 2025. During one monologue, Kimmel accused the “MAGA Gang” of trying to distance themselves from Robinson to gain political advantage.
Earlier on Tuesday, ABC firmly denied reports that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would end after the upcoming season. The rumors had suggested the show was wrapping up following ongoing tension with the Trump administration and hints from Kimmel himself about possibly stepping away.
While some outlets reported that the current season would be the last due to Kimmel’s contract not being renewed, ABC called these claims “inaccurate” and emphasized that any talk about the show’s future was purely speculative. Sources confirmed that Kimmel typically signs one-year contracts, with negotiations for 2026 already attracting scrutiny amid the political climate.
For now, fans of the late-night host can breathe easy: Jimmy Kimmel’s show is not going anywhere-at least not just yet.